Claire Bloom

Claire Bloom, original name Claire Blume, (born February 15, 1931, London, England), English dramatic actress noted for her moving portrayals of Shakespearean heroines. She appeared on stage, in television, and in motion pictures.

Bloom studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. At age 14 she tried out for the part of Juliet with the Shakespeare Memorial Company (later the Royal Shakespeare Company) in Stratford-upon-Avon; in 1948 at Stratford she was cast as Ophelia in Hamlet, Blanche in King John, and Perdita in The Winter’s Tale. She won praise for her early motion-picture role as a ballet dancer, playing opposite Charlie Chaplin in the filmLimelight (1952). She performed with the Old Vic company (1952–53) and subsequently successfully combined a stage career with films. Some of Bloom’s more notable movies include Richard III (1955), The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (1965), Charly (1968), and Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), and she continued to star in films and on television into the 21st century.

Bloom published an autobiography, Limelight and After, in 1982. She was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013.